Animal-trap.



J. F. WINKLER.

ANIMAL TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 16, 1911.

1,014,550. I Patented Jan. 9,1912.

ATTORNEYS COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co wAsmNuTmv, n. c.

JOSEPH F. WINKLER, OF DOLLAR BAY, MICHIGAN.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1912.

Application filed September 16, 1911. Serial No. 649,603.

To all whom 2'2. may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH F. WINKLER, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Dollar Bay,in the county of Houghton and State ofMichigan, have invented certain Improvements in Animal-Traps, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in animal traps, and has for its object,the provision of a simple, inexpensive device of the striker type,wherein the holding means for the striker is held in set position bymeans moving longitudinally of the trap instead of vertically andconnected directly with the bait support.

A further object is to provide a trap wherein all of the latch ortrigger mechanism is on one side of the pivotal connection of thestriker, and on that side occupied by the striker when in set position.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective View ofthe trap; and, Fig. 2is a longitudinal vertical section.

The present embodiment of the invention, comprises a plate 1 of wood orother suitable material, and a substantially rectangular wire frame isconnected to the plate at approximately the center thereof, andtransverse to the plate. The said frame is composed of spaced side arms2, connected at one end by an integral cross arm 3, and at the other endby a similar cross arm 3. A spring consisting of coils 4 and 5 spacedapart and connected by a loop 6 is provided for the frame, the coilsencircling the cross arm 3*. 'The coils are formed from wire, and eachgradually increases in diameter from the outer end to the loop, and anarm 10 extends radially from the outer end of each coil. Each arm 10extends toward the adjacent arm 2 of the frame, passing beneath thesame, and the extremity of each arm 10 is bent upward at 11 to preventits disengagement from the arm.

A staple 8 is arranged outside of each end of cross arm 3*, and holdsthe said arm loosely to the plate, and a staple 9 holds the loop 6. tothe plate. The staple 9 is grigen tightly, so that the loop is firmly Alever 12 is pivoted to the plate intermediate the ends of the lever, bymeans of a staple 13. The lefer is of wire, and is bent to form a loop14: extending directly upward. The wire forming the lever is doubled toform the loop, and in each end 7 is then coiled once around the body ofthe staple 13 inside the arms of the loop, as indicated at 15, andthence in opposite direotions to form the lever. One end of the leverextends beneath the cross arm 3 of the frame, between the coils 4 and 5,and is provided with a ring 16, for holding the bait 17. The oppositeend extends beneath the body portion 18 of a staple, whose legs 19 areconnected to the plate 1, and the said end is bent into a ring 20.

A latch arm-has one end bent or coiled around the body 18 of the staple,and one end 21 of the latch extends toward the loop 1 1, and is ofsuflicient length to engage in the same, as indicated in Fig. 1. Theopposite end 22 is bent upwardly at 23, and laterally at 22 to engageover the cross arm 3 of the frame. The said cross arm is provided withan integral loop 24 at one side of its center, for convenience inswinging the frame to set the trap. The spring con sisting of coils 1and 5 is connected and held firmly to the plate by the staple 9, and isalso connected to the frame by the arms 10. The spring acts to throw theframe over toward the bait, to strike the animal tampering with the baitheld on the ring 16 of the lever.

The trap is set, by swinging the frame into the position of Fig. 1, andengaging the end 21 of the latch with loop 1 1. The latch arm 21 when soheld by the loop, brings the catch 22 over the cross arm 3, thus holdingthe frame in set position of Fig. 1. When the end of lever 12 providedwith ring 16 is depressed by the attempt of the animal to get at thebait, the top of the loop 14 is swung toward the coils 4E and '5,releasing the latch arm 21'. The release of the latch arm releases catch22, and the frame is swung over to the baited end of the trap, strikingthe animal and killing it, or holding it between the frame and theplate. The loops engagement with'the latch while delicate is sufficientto prevent accidental releasing of the frame, and the release of theframe is positive.

It will be noted that there is no danger of releasing the striker, thatis the frame, accidentally when setting the trap in position.

The loop 14 must be swung longitudinally ofthe plate.

I claim:

A trap comprising a base and a spring actuated striker, a lever pivotedto the base 611d..Wlth bait holding means, said lever havintermediateits ends and provided at one the rigid loop, and a lug for engaging overthe striker for holding said striker in set ing at its pivotalconnection an upwardly position.

extending loop rigid with the lever, a latch JOSEPH F. WINKLER. armpivoted to the base adjacent to vthe end WVitnesses;

of the lever remote from the bait holding PETER HARRIE,

means, said latch having an arm engaging CASPER HALLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of- Patents,

. Washington, D. G.

